Cadmium-nickel alloy



Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL Es SWARTZ, OFPARK, ALBERT J. PHILLIPS, OF METU'GHEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TOAMERICAN SMELTINO- AND REFINING- COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION O]! NEW JERSEY CADMIUM-NICKEL ALLOY No Drawing.

This invention relatesto metal alloys and more particularly to alloys ofcadmium and nickel which may contain small amounts of another metal orother metals, such as alumi:

num, antimony, popper, magnesium, zinc or the like. 4

The invention relates particularly to an alloy which may successfully beutilized as bearing metal at relatively high temperatures, that is,,temperatures considerably in excess of those permissible when theconventional tin babbitts are employed.

Invgeneral, bearing metal alloys are composed of two distinct phases ofwidely vary ing physical properties. One of these phases is relativelysoft, ductile, malleable; deforms with comparative ease, and is capableof creeping. The other phase is harder than the soft phase, but at thesame time, 'is softer than the softest constituent of the shaft orsimilar structure which is supported or surrounded by the bearing metal.In use, the soft phase accommodates the individual characteristic of theshaft and, as this phase wears away, the hard phase becomes exposed,and, in addition to carrying the load, may make the actual metal tometal contact between shaft and the bearing in the momentary absence oflubricant.

In addition, it is fundamental that the,

range of operating or working temperature of any bearing is limited bythe melting point of the bearing alloy or'the melting point of thelowest melting constituent present in appreciable amounts in the alloy.Be-

cause of this fact further advance in manymetals is admirably suited foruse as bearing metal or the like.

In compounding the alloy, cadmium may Application filed December 13,1982. Serial 1V0. 646,976.

be introduced into a suitable kettle and heated to a temperature of 400to 450 C. under a suitable flux, which prevents oxidation and theproduction of undesirable dross and compounds during the formation ofthe alloy. For this purpose we find a low melting chloride slag, such aszinc chloride, gives excellent results. Pure, thin, sheet nickel maythen be introduced and the molten bath agitated until the nickel isincorporated therein. Small quantities of other metals, such asaluminum,- antimony, copper, magnesium, zinc or the like, may then beadded in amounts varying from traces up ,to 2 or 3%, depending on theparticular metal added and the effect desired by its presence, such asthe lessening of oxidation during casting, resistance to corrosion,increased strength and the like. When the nickel or nickel andaccompanying constituents, if any, are thoroughly incorporated in andalloyed with the molten cadmium, the alloy may be cast i n'suitablemolds to be used as desired.

When employed as hearing metal the alloy exhibits many desirablefeatures and'characteristics. In the first place, the alloy may besuccessfully used at temperatures approaching 318 C. This is veryimportant when it is remembered that ordinary tin babbitt has a maximumworking temperature of approximately 200 C. due to the low melting pointof its soft constituent.

As compared to tin babbitt, the cadmiumnickel alloy possessesapproximately 50% greater tensile strength. Elongation of the alloyexceeds babbitt by approximately 35%; the yield'point in compression isnearly 40% greater; reduction of area in tension is approximately doubleand compression strength is about one-fourth greater. Again, the

Rockwell test shows greater hardness values for the new alloy.

While the creep value of the cadmium-nickel alloy is higher than thecreep value of babbitts, it is appreciably lower than the creep valuesof bearing bronzes. In other words, the alloy of our invention willcreep under a lower load than will the bronzes. This is of especialimportance during the period when a bearing is running in and setting ashaft.

The coeflicient of friction of an alloy of 1 to 1.5% nickel and thebalance cadmium is about equal to that of babbitt.

As previously mentioned, the properties of the cadmium-nickel alloy maybe modified by the addition of small amounts of other metals. Forexample, by adding, say, 0.5% copper to a cadmium alloy containing 1.5%nickel, the tensile-strength is nearly double that of tin babbitt,while, at the same time, elongation and reduction of area in tensioncompares favorably with babbitts. Again, small quantities of magnesiumaid in retarding oxidation of the alloys. Similar beneficial results areobtained with small additions of aluminum, antimony and/or zinc.

Although the nickel content may vary from 0.25% to 7% as specified, wefind that, for most purposes, a range in the nickel content of from 0.6%to 4% gives the better results. In other words, a minimum of 0.25%nickel is necessary, while, if more than 7% nickel is used, thecharacteristics which make the alloy desirable for use as bearing metalare modified or disappear.

The present application is a continuationin-part of our copendingapplication, Serial No. 620,305, filed June 30, 1932.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be effected by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A metal alloy containing from 0.25%

to 7% nickel, magnesium and zinc in appreciable quantities not exceedinga total of 3% and the balance cadmium. 2. A bearing metal alloycomprising 0.25% to 7% nickel, magnesium and zinc in appreciablequantities not exceeding a total of 3% and the balance cadmium.

3. A metal alloy comprising 0.25% to 7% nickel, magnesium a total of 3%and the balance cadmium.

4. A bearing metal alloy comprising 0.25% to 7% nickel, magnesium inamounts not exceeding a total of 3% and the balance cadmium.

5. A metal alloy comprising 0.25% to 7% nickel, zinc in amounts notexceeding a total of 3% and the balance cadmium.

6. A bearing metal alloy comprising 0.25% to 7% nickel, zinc in amountsnot exceeding a total of 3% and the balance cadmium.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

CARL E. SWARTZ. ALBERT J. PHILLIPS.

in amounts not exceeding

